Framing and False Accusations

Lady Warwick's face changed dramatically the moment she heard the news. She cried out, "My son, my son!"

With that, she lifted her skirt and ran straight toward the young master's room in the back courtyard.

The door to Young Master Warwick's room was wide open, surrounded by the Warwick household's servants and maids, all searching frantically.

"What kind of job are you doing? I told you to protect the young master, so how could you lose him!?" Lady Warwick demanded angrily of the four people at the door.

The four trembled in fear, kneeling on the ground, each claiming they had no idea what happened. They only heard a sudden noise from inside, and when they rushed in, Young Master Warwick was gone.

"My son, oh my life!" Minister Warwick was beside himself, wailing in anguish. His cries drew most of the banquet guests over.

"What's going on? Isn't that Lady Warwick crying? Wasn't it her son's birthday today? Why is she in tears?"

"You haven't heard? Young Master Warwick has gone missing!"

"Missing? Maybe the child is just being mischievous and hiding somewhere in the garden?"

The guests all began to chatter and speculate, not noticing the maid nearby with a strange smile on her face. It was Sophie White, who quickly made her way toward the crowd.

Sophie White knelt before Lady Warwick and spoke urgently: "Madam, I was just outside sweeping the courtyard when I suddenly saw a shadow flash by. I thought I was seeing things, but then I heard that Young Master Warwick had disappeared. I looked toward his room and saw a window that had been closed was now open. Maybe, just maybe, someone came in through that window and took the young master away!"

Sophie White's words caused an uproar among the crowd. Lady Warwick staggered back in terror, exclaiming, "Isn't this exactly like the recent cases of missing children in other noble families? Could it be that child-eating monster has come to steal my son from the Warwick household!?"

Sophie White immediately added, "Now that you mention it, Madam, I remember—the shadow I saw looked like a woman, just like the rumors about that monster! And she was wearing a pale blue dress!"

"A pale blue dress!?" Lady Warwick gasped, blurting out, "Princess Lily Hayes is also wearing a pale blue dress today! Right before my son went missing, she excused herself to use the restroom, and then disappeared!"

The crowd erupted instantly:

"Princess Lily Hayes? Could it really be her!?"

"Why not? The whole capital is talking about it—everyone says it's Princess Lily Hayes!"

Lady Warwick, having lost her only son, no longer cared about offending Princess Lily Hayes. She immediately ordered, "Someone, quickly find Princess Lily Hayes! She just left with the child a moment ago—she must still be in the manor!"

The Warwick household staff immediately scattered in all directions, searching for any sign of Princess Lily Hayes.

Sophie White lowered her head, a smile playing at her lips: Su Li, with so many witnesses, even if you jumped into the Yellow River you couldn't clear your name! You've provoked the wrath of the nobles and ministers; even if Alexander Hayes dotes on you, he can't protect you now. Today, I, Sophie White, will see your reputation destroyed!

Lady Warwick sent people to search for her son, but she herself was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Clutching Minister Warwick's sleeve, she pleaded, "You're the Minister of War—if Princess Lily Hayes really did something to our son, you can't be afraid of the Prince of Qin! You must stand up for our child!"